Split golf bag

ABSTRACT

A short game bag for cooperating with a mother bag is disclosed. The short game bag may have a tubular body enclosed at a bottom end and open at a top end; the tubular body having a outer side and an attachment side, wherein the outer side comprises a handle and an extendable set of at least two legs attached by a hinge proximal to the top end. Further, the attachment side has a fastening mechanism for attachment to a mother bag along a substantially longitudinal axis of the mother bag, wherein the short game bag can attach in a substantially parallel manner to the mother bag.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a golf club carrying apparatus and moreparticularly to a compartmentalized golf club bag.

Normally, a golf bag carries ten or more clubs, in addition to spareballs, and other tools. Golfers that have played a ball to the green orwithin a pitching wedge shot of a green have a need for a limited set ofgolf clubs on or about the green. Reasons such as irregular terrain, andsensitive turf, keep golf carts from being positioned on or near thegreen. Nevertheless, a golfer can require two or three clubs for thefinal strokes on or around the green.

Some golfers, in order to solve the problem of having two or three clubsavailable, can carry the subset of clubs to the current ball position.Accordingly, the golfer places the extra clubs on the grass as he takeshis next shot. However, this approach can add moisture or dirt to theclubs, particularly when the greens still have morning dew on them.

It would be convenient if the golfer could bring a smaller bag, thatstill offers the flexibility of choosing the next club while the golfertakes his final shots at the hole. In addition, since the terrain can bemore inclined at or near the green, it can be difficult to carry theweight of a full bag. Similarly, curvature of the green can make itdifficult to spot any clubs left lying on the turf.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention a short game bag isdisclosed. The short game bag may have a tubular body enclosed at abottom end and open at a top end; the tubular body having a outer sideand an attachment side, wherein the outer side comprises a handle and anextendable set of at least two legs attached by a hinge proximal to thetop end. Further, the attachment side has a fastening mechanism forattachment to a mother bag along a substantially longitudinal axis ofthe mother bag, wherein the short game bag can attach in a substantiallyparallel manner to the mother bag.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a mother bagfor holding golf clubs is disclosed. The mother bag may have a firstelongated pocket for golf clubs extending from a bag base. Further, themother bag may have at least one second elongated pocket for golf clubsextending from the bag base, wherein, a transverse gap extends betweenthe first elongated pocket and the second elongated pocket within 20% ofa top of the first elongated pocket. In addition, the bag base can havean attachment side having a contour and is substantially tubular alongan axis, and an attachment mechanism faces lateral to the axis to attacha short game bag having a short game bag contour matching the contour.

A still further embodiment may comprise an elongated body, closed at abottom end and open at a top end, wherein a transverse strap guideextends across the top end to provide a groove, wherein the grooveseparates the top end into a cart-facing contour and inner contour, theinner contour having a longitudinal contour extending parallel to alongitudinal axis. A fastening mechanism for interlocking the mother bagwith the short game bag is present on each of the mother bag and a shortgame bag, wherein a corresponding half of the fastening mechanism ispermanently attached to each of the mother bag and short game bag.Further, the short game bag has a short game bag inner contour thatsubstantially matches the inner contour, wherein the short game bagcomprises: an elongated body, closed at a bottom end and open at a topend, and the short game bag inner contour extends substantially thelength of the short game bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mother golf bag cooperating with a golf cartin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a mother golf bag cooperating with a golf cartin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a mother golf bag showing the attachment sidein accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a short game golf bag showing the attachmentside in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the mother golf bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3D is a top view of the short game golf bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3E is a side view of the mother golf bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3F is a side view of the short game golf bag showing a inner sideand an attachment side in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 4A-4F show embodiments having an interstitial gap between theshort game bag and the mother bag for accommodating the golf cart strap;

FIG. 5A is a mother bag having a first strap and a second strap inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a short game bag which corresponds to mother bag of FIG. 5Ain accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5C is a top view of mother bag in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5D is a top view of short game bag in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5E shows a side view of mother bag when viewed in the directionfrom the side of a golf cart in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5F shows a side view of short game bag arranged to attach to amother bag placed at the left of short game bag;

FIG. 6A is a side view of mother bag in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6B is a side view of short game bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6C is a top view of mother bag in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6D is top view of short game bag in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 6E shows a side view of mother bag in accordance with an embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 6F shows a side view of short game bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various figures and embodiments show a two-part apparatus to carrygolf clubs. The parts can cooperate together to form a split golf bagwhen fastened together by the various means about to be explained. Theutility of having a bag that can be split is that a smaller set of clubscan be carried separate from the main or mother bag. As such, by use ofa short-game bag, which can detach from the mother bag, a golfer candetach about three clubs for use on or around a green, and still avoidlaying any spare club on the turf. Game play can be advanced by reducingthe trips back to the cart for any needed follow-up club.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mother golf bag cooperating with a golf cartin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The mother bag's 101interaction with golf cart 110 corresponds to the main features depictedin the several embodiments in FIGS. 4A, 4C, 4E, 6A, 6C and 6E, below.Mother bag 101 rests on a ledge projecting out of the back-side of golfcart 110. Post 112 extends from the golf cart and serves as a securemounting point for mother bag 101. Strap 114 extends from post 112 andmay fasten to a buckle or other mechanism on the opposite side (notshown) of mother bag 101. In this embodiment, mother bag 101 provides norecess for strap 114. Nevertheless, it is appreciated, that somefraction of the thickness of a strap may be accommodated by a slightdepression in the bag in alternative embodiments. Mother bag 101 isarranged so that by one mechanism or another, a second bag, which can besmaller and lighter, can attach to the mother bag as a short game bag,depicted, for example in sets of figures FIG. 4A-4F, or 6A-6F, below.The short game bag can be lighter and provide pockets for fewer clubsthan the mother bag. For simplicity's sake, FIG. 1 does not depict thevarying attachment mechanisms that can permit mother bag 101 to attachto a short game bag. FIG. 1 merely shows the operation of a first majordesign feature of the mother bag—namely, the relationship of the cart'sstrap to the mother bag's compartment(s) for clubs.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a mother golf bag cooperating with a golf cartin accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The mother bag's 201interaction with golf cart 210 corresponds to the main features depictedin the several embodiments in FIGS. 3A, 3C, 3E, 5A, 5C and 5E , below.Mother bag 201 rests on a ledge projecting out of the back-side of golfcart 210. Post 212 extends from the golf cart and serves as a securemounting point for mother bag 201. Strap 214 extends from post 212 andmay fasten to a buckle or other mechanism on the opposite side (notshown) of mother bag 201. In this embodiment, mother bag 201 provides agroove or transverse slot for strap 214. Mother bag 201 provides atleast one pocket-extension suitable for receiving the handle of a golfclub. The pocket-extension extends beyond strap 214 to form at least onegroove 205 in which the strap can be placed. Like the mother bag of FIG.1, mother bag 201 is arranged so that by one mechanism or another, asecond bag, which can be smaller and lighter, can attach to the motherbag. For simplicity's sake, FIG. 2 does not depict the varyingattachment mechanisms that can permit mother bag 201 to attach to ashort game bag. FIG. 2 merely shows the operation of a first majordesign feature of the mother bag—namely, the relationship of the cart'sstrap to the mother bag's compartment(s) for clubs. As can be seen, thecart strap is placed in a slot or groove that is somewhat internal amongseveral club compartments.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a mother bag showing the attachment side inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The manner in whichmother bag 301 attaches to the golf cart is depicted in FIG. 2.Importantly, FIG. 3A shows a fastening mechanism used in this embodimentof the mother/short-game bag. A fastening mechanism is any mechanismamenable to fasten bags generally weighing less than 25 lbs., whenloaded, to the mother bag in a piggy-back fashion. Fastening mechanismsinclude, for example, hook-and-loop fabrics, buckles and straps,snap-fit plastic parts, tongue and groove joints, and the like.Importantly, the fastening mechanism can be one half of a two-partcorresponding mechanism, such that, when the corresponding part engagesthe fastening mechanism with the correct force and orientation, theparts interlock to hold the disparate bodies, to which each is attached,together. In the case of the embodiments shown herein, the disparateparts are a mother bag and a short game bag. Similarly, the fasteningmechanism permits dis-engagement of the short-game bag from the motherbag, leaving the fastening mechanism as two distinct, but correspondingparts that are permanently attached to the now-separated mother bag andshort game bag.

The Mother bag 301 can have at least one panel of fastener material,such as, for example, Velcro™ loop or hook fastener material. Velcro isa trademark of Velcro Industries B.V. Mother bag 301 is shown in a viewthat corresponds to looking at a golf cart from the rear. In otherwords, with the short-game bag detached, fastener material 307 isvisible. An inner slot 305 can be defined to extend below a top end ofthe mother bag. A golfer who attaches the mother bag to a cart, caneither slide the cart strap from the sides, or drop the strap in fromthe top of mother bag 301. In other words, when a short game bag issubstantially aligned to longitudinal axis 325, fastener panel 307 canform breakable bond to the corresponding fastener panel(s) in the motherbag.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a short game bag showing the attachment sidein accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Short game bag 351 isshaped generally as an extrusion or tubular body having bottom end 352and top end 353. The top end is open to receive clubs, while the bottomend is closed. FIG. 3B shows short game bag 351 by the attachment side.The attachment side is the side that is suitable to attach to acorresponding attachment side of the mother bag, such as depicted inFIG. 3A. The attachment side includes fastener material that is of acorresponding form to any fastener material of the corresponding motherbag. For example, if the mother bag uses the hook form of fastenermaterial, the short game bag can use the loop form of fastener material,and vice-a-versa. Fastener material is placed in fastener panel 357 in aposition that corresponds with the one or more panels of the mother bag.In other words, when longitudinal axis 375 of short game bag 351 issubstantially aligned to longitudinal axis 325 of the mother bag, thebags can be pressed together for a resilient bond.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the mother golf bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Attachment side 317 supports one or morepanels of fastener material Inner slot 305 extends between compartmentsfor clubs. The inner slot can extend up to 20% of the length of the bag.In addition, attachment side presents a longitudinal groove 319 whichhelps guide placement of short game bag into substantial verticalalignment with the mother bag. The mother golf bag can have a number oftubes, for example, tube 321, used to segregate club shafts from eachother.

FIG. 3D is a top view of the short game bag in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. This bag is shown having five tubes placedtherein. Each tube can accommodate a single club shaft. It isappreciated that fewer, more, or even no tubes can be installed to theshort game bag, in the varying alternative embodiments. The tubes can beparallel substantially aligned to the longitudinal axis of the shortgame bag. Fastener material can be placed on the flat side oflongitudinal ridge 368. Longitudinal ridge 368 can operate to align withlongitudinal groove 319 of mother bag depicted in FIG. 3C. Accordingly,the short game bag can attach in a substantially parallel manner to themother bag. Opposite attachment side 369, is outer side 371. Outer sidecan include additional features, not shown, including a handle, and anextendable set of legs.

To attach the bags, the golfer merely presses attachment side 317 ofmother bag to attachment side 369 of short game bag. For removal, thegolfer pulls the mother bag apart from the short game bag directly awayfrom the golf cart. The mother bag stays where it is by virtue of thestrap holding it to the golf cart.

FIG. 3E is a side view of the mother golf bag 301 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The mother bag is arranged to receive astrap from a golf cart generally positioned to the left of mother bag301. On the other hand, the attachment mechanism, in this case, thefastener panel, faces right, ready to receive the short game bag.

FIG. 3F is a side view of the short game bag showing an inner side andan attachment side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Handle 381 can be above an extendable set 383 of legs attached by ahinge. The hinge is proximal to top end 353. In this embodiment, theshort game bag is substantially parallel to the mother bag as long asthe corresponding longitudinal axes are within 5° of each other.However, it is appreciated, that in embodiments that lack a longitudinalgroove, as shown below, the bags can be substantially parallel when thecorresponding axes are within 25° of each other.

FIGS. 4A-F show embodiments having an interstitial gap between the shortgame bag and the mother bag for accommodating the golf cart strap. Likethe embodiments in FIGS. 3A-F, the short game bag attaches to the motherbag using a fastener panel. FIG. 4A shows mother bag 401 with fastenerpanel 407 on an attachment side. FIG. 4A roughly corresponds to (sideview of) mother bag 101 of FIG. 1 in that the space for the cart strapis open by virtue of a recess in the short game bag that attaches tomother bag 101.

FIG. 4B shows short game bag 451 with fastener panel 457 on anattachment side. Short game bag 451 provides a ledge below a recessedportion 455, which, provides a gap suitable for a cart strap when thefastener panel 457 mates to fastener panel 407 of mother bag 401 in FIG.4A.

FIG. 4C shows the mother bag in a top view. Attachment side 417 is theside to which the short game bag attaches.

FIG. 4D, shows the top view of the short game bag. Attachment side 469extends upwards from ledge 470. Accordingly, the panel above ledge 470is sufficiently open to permit insertion and removal of the golf cartstrap, when the short game bag attaches to the mother bag.

FIG. 4E shows the mother bag 401 facing the short game bag present inFIG. 4F.

FIG. 4F shows short game bag 451 with the corresponding ledge 470. Topend 453 is narrower than bottom end 452, at least in a front-to-backdirection.

FIG. 5A is a mother bag in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Mother bag 501 may have a first strap 511 and a second strap521. Each strap is placed on an opposite side of the mother bag 501.FIG. 5A roughly corresponds to (side view of) mother bag 201 of FIG. 2in that the space for the strap is open by virtue of a recess in theshort-game bag that attaches to mother bag 201. Each strap can beattached to outer side of mother bag 501. Attachment side 517 isso-named, because it can be covered when the short game bag is attachedto mother bag 501.

FIG. 5B shows a short game bag 551 which corresponds to mother bag 501of FIG. 5A. Short game bag 551 can have two buckles 561, 571 located oneither side. Short game bag 551 can be placed into a groove of motherbag 510 in a way that permits strap 511 to meet buckle 561, and strap521 to meet buckle 571. In which case, a golfer can buckle, latch orotherwise attach each of the buckles to its corresponding strap.

FIG. 5C is a top view of mother bag 501 in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Mother bag can have two straps: left strap 521 andright strap 522. The mother bag may have tubes to separate each club.Alternatively, as pictured in FIG. 5C, no tubes are present.

FIG. 5D is a top view of short game bag 551 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Short game bag can have two buckles: leftbuckle 571 and right buckle 572.

FIG. 5E shows a side view of mother bag 501 when viewed in the directionfrom the side of a golf cart (golf cart not shown). Strap 521 extendsoutwards from mother bag 501 so that a short game bag can be attachedfrom the right.

FIG. 5F shows a side view of short game bag 551 arranged to attach to amother bag placed at the left of short game bag 551. Buckle 571 isavailable to capture and secure strap 521 as needed by the golfer.Further support for short game bag 551 can come from a ledge of a golfcart, which typically extends below and beyond the mother bag.Additional securing of the short game bag can be by use of a secondbuckle on the hidden side of the short game bag. It is appreciated thatmore, or fewer buckles can be used than depicted in FIGS. 5A-F in orderto bring the two bags into attachment.

FIG. 6A shows a side view of mother bag 601 arranged in a manner similarto mother bag 101 of FIG. 1. Mother bag has attachment side 517 thatprovides for two half-blind dovetail sockets 607, 609 that have anopening for a corresponding tail piece at the top of the respectiveblind dovetail sockets.

FIG. 6B shows a side view of short game bag 651 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Short game bag has two tails 657, 659 thateach correspond to half-blind dovetail sockets 607, 609 in FIG. 6A. Whenplaced above each half-blind dovetail socket, and generally againstattachment side 617 of mother bag, tail 657 slides downward withinhalf-blind dovetail socket 607 to secure the short game bag againstmovement to any of the sides. Similar interlocking occurs between tail659 and half-blind dovetail socket 609. Shelf 670 provides space nearthe top end, to admit a golf strap between the main portions of motherbag and short game bag 651.

FIG. 6C shows a top view of mother bag 601. Attachment side 617 providesthe half-blind dovetail socket 607. The further half-blind dovetailsocket may be in rough vertical alignment with half-blind dovetailsocket 607.

FIG. 6D shows top view of short game bag 651. Shelf 670 provides spacefor a golf cart strap. Tail 657 extends from short game bag. The top oftail 657 is broad and is visible as a trapezoid shape. Tail 657 cantaper as it extends downward, thereby easing the alignment of the tailas it is placed into half-blind dovetail socket 607. A second tail maybe present below tail 657.

FIG. 6E shows a side view of mother bag 601. Within mother bag eachhalf-blind dovetail socket 607, 609 is arranged with an opening somewhatlarger than the corresponding tail. Accordingly, some space is allowedfor an initial misalignment—thus easing entry of the tail into thehalf-blind dovetail socket. Attachment side 617 faces left, ready toreceive a corresponding short game bag, for example, as shown in FIG.6F.

FIG. 6F shows a side view of short game bag 651. Short game bag extendstail 657 and tail 659 to the left. Shelf 670 leaves room for a cartstrap.

Each of the short game bag embodiments, described above, may optionallyinclude a handle on the outer side, as well as extendable legs that keepthe short game bag generally upright when removed from the mother bag.

The illustrative embodiments permit a golfer to carry a light bag tosensitive areas on and around a green, without carrying the entire golfbag and attendant clubs. Further, the availability of a more compact bagarrangement, allows the golfer to keep one or more additional golf clubsin reserve without needing to drop such clubs on wet, muddy or otherwiseunsuitable terrain. The golfer has at least the dual benefit of keepingall clubs dry, while making the detached set of clubs more visible whilewithin the short game bag. As such, clubs are easier to spot, and lesslikely to be left behind.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A short game bag for holding golf clubs, the bagcomprising: a tubular body enclosed at a bottom end and open at a topend; the tubular body having an outer side and an attachment side,wherein the outer side comprises a handle and an extendable set of atleast two legs attached by a hinge proximal to the top end; and theattachment side comprises a fastening mechanism for attachment to amother bag along a substantially longitudinal axis of the mother bag,wherein the short game bag can attach in a substantially parallel mannerto the mother bag.
 2. The short game bag of claim 1, further comprising:at least three tubes extending longitudinally within the tubular body,each of the tubes having an open top end, and a diameter sufficientlywide to admit a handle to a golf club.
 3. The short game bag of claim 2,wherein the at least three tubes are less than six tubes.
 4. The shortgame bag of claim 1, further comprising: a shoulder extending from theattachment side, wherein the shoulder extends a panel that makes the topend narrower than the bottom end.
 5. The short game bag of claim 4,further comprising: a Velcro™ attachment panel that extends at leastabove a halfway point from bottom end to the top end, wherein the Velcroattachment panel is on the attachment side below the shoulder.
 6. Theshort game bag of claim 4, further comprising: at least one tail,extending from the attachment side, the tail shaped to fit within ahalf-blind dovetail socket.
 7. The short game bag of claim 1, furthercomprising: a longitudinal ridge, extending a longitudinal length of theshort game bag.
 8. The short game bag of claim 1, further comprising: afirst buckle on a left side of the outer side; and a second buckle on aright side of the outer side.
 9. The short game bag of claim 1, whereinengagement to a mother bag along a substantially longitudinal axisincludes attachment of the short game bag wherein a longitudinal axis ofthe short game bag is within 25 degrees of the longitudinal axis of themother bag.
 10. The short game bag of claim 1, wherein the short gamebag, when attached to the mother bag, has up to 20 degrees separating alongitudinal axis of the mother bag from a longitudinal axis of theshort game bag.
 11. The short game bag of claim 4, wherein the panelthat makes the top end narrower than the bottom end is arranged suchthat when the short game bag is attached to the mother bag, a slot ispresent between the short game bag and the mother bag extending downfrom the top end at least 20% of a longitudinal length of the short gamebag.
 12. A mother bag for holding golf clubs, the mother bag comprising:a bag base, from which a first elongated pocket extends along alongitudinal axis; at least one second elongated pocket extending fromthe bag base, wherein, a transverse slot extends between the firstelongated pocket and the second elongated pocket within 20% of a top ofthe first elongated pocket; wherein the bag base has an attachment sidehaving a contour, and wherein the mother bag is substantially tubularalong the longitudinal axis, and an attachment mechanism faces lateralto the longitudinal axis to attach a short game bag having a short gamebag contour matching the contour.
 13. The mother bag of claim 12,wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a Velcro™ fastening panel.14. The mother bag of claim 12, wherein the attachment mechanismcomprises at least one strap.
 15. The mother bag of claim 12, whereinthe attachment mechanism comprises at least one half-blind dovetailsocket.
 16. A mother bag and short game bag, the mother bag comprising:an elongated body, closed at a bottom end and open at a top end, whereina transverse strap guide extends across the top end to provide a groove,wherein the groove separates the top end into a cart-facing contour andinner contour forming outer sides to the mother bag, wherein the innercontour comprises a longitudinal contour extending parallel to alongitudinal axis; a fastening mechanism for interlocking the mother bagwith the short game bag; and a short game bag having a short game baginner contour that substantially matches the inner contour, wherein theshort game bag comprises: an elongated body, closed at a bottom end andopen at a top end, and the short game bag inner contour extends along alength of the short game bag.
 17. The mother bag and short game bag ofclaim 16, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises: at least two strapsattached to the mother bag and at least two buckles attached to theshort game bag.
 18. The mother bag and short game bag of claim 16,wherein the groove is at least half an inch wide and has a bottom atleast two inches deep from the top end.